Brake Light On Dashboard Goes On And Off: Triggers & Solutions
Have you noticed your brake light randomly coming on and off on your dash? Are you wondering what all this flickering is all about? If yes, this guide will discuss everything you need to know about this problem.
Brake light on dashboard goes on and off due to a variety of issues like low brake fluid, faulty brake fluid level sensor, faulty brake light switch, worn brake pads, malfunctioning ABS system, or electrical issues. When you notice this problem, check the brake fluid levels, switch, and brake pads. If necessary, consult your mechanic.
This article comprehensively discusses all the common causes of brake light flickering on your dash. We have also discussed how to troubleshoot the exact problem and how to turn off the light on the dash.
Brake Light On Dashboard Goes On And Off Causes
If your brake light keeps coming on and off while driving, these could be the potential culprits could be behind this problem:
Low brake fluid levels
One of the most common culprits for intermittent brake light on the dash is low brake fluid levels.
If you experience this issue, therefore, we advise you to first check the level of brake fluid in the fluid reservoir.
If the fluid falls below the “MIN” line, top it off up to the “MAX” level. Be sure to only use the correct brake fluid for your car model.
Malfunctioning master cylinder sensors
The master cylinder is responsible for producing hydraulic pressure for your vehicle brakes. It is equipped with different sensors for measuring brake fluid level and parking brake sensor.
The sensors help alert you when there’s an issue with your braking system. If any of the sensors start failing, they can make the brake warning light come on and off randomly.
Get a mechanic to diagnose your car and repair the problem. You can also scan the trouble codes with an OBD-II scanner.
Faulty brake light switch
The brake light switch causes the brake lights at the rear to illuminate when you depress the brake pedal. If the switch starts malfunctioning, it can also trigger the brake light on dahs to come on and off.
Try to inspect your car brake light switch for signs of misalignment or physical damage. If the switch has any issues, replace it with a new one to ensure continued proper functionality.
Worn brake pads
Brake pads usually come with a wear indicator that triggers brake light intermittently when they become excessively worn. When you apply the brakes, the indicator intermittently contacts the rotor, causing the brake warning light to flicker.
Inspect your brake pads for wear. If their thickness falls below recommended level due to wear, replace them immediately. Ignoring worn pads comprises your stopping power and causes damage to your brake system components.
Electrical issues
An electrical issue within your brake system can also randomly trigger the brake light to come on and off.
Electrical issues can be anything from a blown fuse to poor ground connection, lose or corroded connections malfunctioning relay, etc.
Inspect the wiring connections near your brake light circuit for signs of loose connections or damage.
Alternatively, you can let a qualified technician diagnose and resolve the problem for you.
Malfunctioning ABS system
If your vehicle has an ABS (anti-locking brake system), it could also cause the brake warning light to come on if it starts malfunctioning.
The primary role of the ABS system is to prevent your car from skidding and sliding when you brake on slippery grounds.
When the ABS system starts to fail, it can trigger the brake light to come on and off. In some cases, it can cause the ABS brake to illuminate as well.
ABS inspection and repairs are a complex process and require the expertise of a qualified auto mechanic.
What To Do If The Brake Light On Dashboard Goes On And Off
If your car brake light on the dash comes on and off while driving, we advise you to pull over when it’s safe and have your car diagnosed. You can try inspecting the car on your own or get a mechanic or dealership to do it for you.
If you decide to do it on your own, here are some troubleshooting tips to help you out:
- Check brake fluid level: If it’s too low, top it using the recommended brake fluid for your car.
- Check your cry for leaks: If you notice your brake fluid keeps level keeps falling whenever you top it up, you may want to inspect your car for leaks that need to be fixed by a mechanic as soon as possible.
- Inspect the brake light switch: check the switch for any signs of misalignment or damage. If it’s damaged, have a mechanic replace it.
- Inspect the wiring: Ensure that no wiring connections near your brake light circuit are damaged, loose, or corroded. If you’re unfamiliar with your car’s electrical systems, seek the help of an auto mechanic.
- Check the condition of brake pads: If the pads have suffered excessive wear, replace them to ensure your car’s braking performance remains top-notch.
If the above simple diagnosis process doesn’t help identify the underlying issue, take your car to a certified mechanic.
The mechanics have the necessary experience and tools to diagnose your car and easily discover the cause of the intermittent brake light illumination.
How To Turn Off Brake Light On The Dashboard
The best way to turn off the brake warning light on your dash is to resolve the underlying issues with your brake system.
If you checked your brake system issues discussed above and found none, then you can go ahead and try the additional tips below to clear the light.
Check whether your car handbrake/parking brake is fully released. Even the slightest engagement of this brake can cause the light to come on. Disengage the brake fully by pulling up on its lever.
If the light still comes on after the diagnosis above, then you have no other option but to have it diagnosed by a qualified technician.
They’ll accurately uncover the underlying issue and resolve it, and promptly the brake warning light will go off.
Why Handbrake Light Comes On And Off When You Drive?
The handbrake light comes on and off on your dash when you drive due to a variety of issues such as low levels of brake fluid, faulty brake switch, worn brake pads, prewiring, and electrical issues.
However, you can’t know for sure the exact cause of the random brake light without a proper diagnosis of your car. Have an experienced mechanic inspect your car to find out the problem and fix it for you.
Why Brake Light And Check Engine Light Randomly Turn On?
Your brake light and check engine light randomly turning on could be caused by completely different issues.
The brake light itself may be triggered to randomly come on and off due to issues like low brake fluid, electrical system or wiring issues, faulty brake light switch, worn brake pads, or failing ABS system.
Check engine light, on the other hand, may randomly come on to indicate issues with your engine, e.g. emission-related problems, faulty sensors, and fuel system issues.
Though the two lights illuminate simultaneously, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re triggered by the same problem.
Get a qualified auto mechanic to diagnose your car and find out the exact problem that caused these warning lights to illuminate randomly.
The mechanic will use diagnostic tools to help them pool out error codes stored in your car’s computer memory.
These will provide them with clues into the causes of the warning light and enable them to perform the necessary repairs to fix the problems.
Why Brake Light Turns On And Off When You Turn?
Your brake light turns on and off when you turn due to various issues like a faulty brake light switch. When the switch starts failing, it causes the erratic behavior of the brake light.
Loose or corroded wire connections in your car brake light can also lead to poor electrical connections which then lead to the brake light coming on and off randomly.
If your car has ABS system, issues related to this system, e.g. faulty sensors, can also lead to the brake light coming on intermittently.
The best thing to do when your car experiences this issue is to have it diagnosed by a mechanic and the problem resolved to ensure your car braking system performs optimally.
Is It Ok To Drive With Brake Light Coming On And Off?
You shouldn’t continue driving your car if the brake light keeps coming on and off. This is because the light usually serves as a warning that something is wrong with your vehicle brake system.
As we discussed earlier, many issues can cause the light to come on, including low brake fluid level, bad brake light switch, worn brake pads malfunctioning ABS system, etc.
If you ignore these issues, they can easily affect your car brake performance and compromise your safety on the road.
Have the problem your car is facing diagnosed and fixed by a qualified mechanic or dealership as soon as possible for the ultimate safety when driving.
If you’re experiencing the issue where the brake light on the dashboard goes on and off, you may also find our article on brake light stays on when car is off helpful. This article provides insights into possible reasons and solutions when the brake light continues to illuminate even when the car is turned off. Additionally, if you’re curious about the situation where the oil light comes on when you brake, our article on oil light come on when I brake offers information on potential causes and recommended actions.FAQs:
Why does my brake light come on randomly?
Your brake warning light coming on randomly can be caused by low brake fluid in the reservoir, faulty master cylinder sensors, worn out brake pads, malfunctioning ABS system, or electrical issues. When faced with this problem, have an auto mechanic diagnose your car and perform the necessary repairs.
What 2 reasons would cause your brake system warning light to come on?
The two most common reasons why brake system warning light comes on include low fluid levels and worn brake pads. You should therefore start by checking the fluid level and inspecting the brake pads before moving to other potential causes.
Conclusion
The brake light on your dash going on and off is a common experience among car owners. It is usually caused by several factors such as low brake fluid levels, faulty brake light switch, master cylinder sensors malfunction, worn brake pads, malfunctioning ABS system, and electrical issues.
When faced with this problem, have a certified auto mechanic diagnose and resolve the problem your car is experiencing. Remember, driving your car with the brake light coming on and off randomly isn’t recommended as it can compromise your safety on the road and cause further damage to your vehicle brake system.
